Method and apparatus for patterning cards, instruments and documents

ABSTRACT

An instrument (e.g., a card or an optical data storage disc such as a CDROM) embodying the invention includes a pattern formed on or within the instrument, whereby the instrument, when illuminated by a light source, produces a unique output light pattern which can be detected by a photo sensor. The formed pattern may take any number of different and randomly formed shapes ranging from stripes of different size and spacing, as in a bar code, to complex two dimensional shapes and images. The pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces of an instrument may include randomly distributed light pipes (paths) extending from one side of the instrument to one, or more, other side(s) of the instrument. Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces may include a number of “pitted” optical fibers extending from a side of the instrument to a “hidden” region internal to the instrument, which does not extend to any of the sides or surfaces of the instrument. Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces of the instrument (e.g., a CDROM) may include opaque optical fibers extending within a region of the instrument. Alternatively, a pattern may be formed on an instrument (e.g., a CDROM) by laser etching or scribing a random pattern on a surface of the instrument.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/190,760 filed on Nov. 12, 1998 and a partialdivisional of the material disclosed therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to valuable cards, instruments anddocuments and, in particular to methods and apparatus for patterning orencoding these cards, instruments and documents.

[0003] For ease of discussion, the invention will be illustrated usingcards such as commonly used plastic cards. However, it should beunderstood that in the specification to follow and in the appendedclaims, when reference is made to “cards”, instruments and documents arealso included, although not specifically identified as such.

[0004] Cards of interest may be used, for example, to identify a personor object and/or they may be used as a value card (i.e. a debit card orcredit card) to withdraw money from a machine. Because of the value ofthese cards there are counterfeiters who make “false” cards whichattempt to imitate “true” or “valid” cards. To enhance the security ofthe cards it is known to add additional security “features” to thesurface of the cards. These added security features can take the form ofa hologram or a spatial dependent optical image or ghost imagesstrategically placed on the surface of the card.

[0005] In a certain group of applications the security features aredependent on a person actually checking that the cards' securityfeatures are present and/or intact. A problem exists with theseapplications in that there are many instances where the personresponsible for checking the validity of the card, such as a cashier,does not actually look at the credit card and simply mechanically“swipes” the card through a card reader, such as a slot reader. Whenthis occurs, the security features present on the card such as thehologram on the surface of the card and the signature on the back of thecard are rendered useless.

[0006] It is therefore desirable and/or necessary to develop a morereliable and automatic means for impeding the falsification of a cardand to check whether these means are present. To this end, card readersmay be used to automatically read or sense the security relatedinformation contained on a card to identify whether a card is valid.Also, to increase the security of the cards more features may be addedto make it much more difficult to counterfeit these cards. Examples ofmeans for enhancing the security of cards and for sensing (reading) thepresence of the enhanced security means are described, for example, inour presently pending patent applications, identified below, theteachings of which are incorporated herein by reference: (a) MultiSensor Information Reader filed on Apr. 7, 1998 and bearing Ser. No.09/056134, and (b) Method And Apparatus For Impeding The CounterfeitingOf Cards, Instruments And Documents filed May 26, 1996 and bearing Ser.No. 09/084,844.

[0007] A disadvantage of increasing the number of security featuresplaced on the top and bottom surfaces of a card is that it uses upvaluable space, which many card manufacturers would prefer to use foradvertising. This disadvantage is overcome in cards made in accordancewith the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A card embodying the invention includes a pattern formed betweenthe top and bottom surfaces of the card, whereby the card, whenilluminated by a light source, produces a unique output light patternwhich can be detected by a photo sensor.

[0009] Generally, the pattern may take any number of different shapesranging from stripes of different size and spacing, as in a bar code, tocomplex two dimensional shapes and images. The pattern formed betweenthe top and bottom surfaces of a card may include light pipes (paths)extending from one side of a card to one, or more, other side(s) of thecard. Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top and bottomsurfaces may include a bundle of optical fibers extending from one sideof a card to one, or more, of the other sides of the card.Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces ofthe card may include light pipes or optical fibers extending betweenthese two surfaces. Alternatively, an image may be embedded between thetop and bottom surfaces.

[0010] Certain of the cards embodying the invention may be illuminatedfrom the top or the bottom surface to produce an output light patternalong at least one edge of the card. These cards will normally be formedsuch that the illuminated surfaces are formed of translucent material.

[0011] Other cards embodying the invention may be illuminated along oneof their edges to produce an output light pattern along another edge.These cards may be formed with opaque top and bottom surfaces.

[0012] Certain other cards embodying the invention may be illuminatedalong a selected one of their edges to produce an output light patternalong another edge and to also produce an output light pattern out ofone (or both) of the top and bottom surfaces of the card. In this casethe surface from which an output light pattern is produced would beformed of a translucent material.

[0013] Still other cards embodying the invention may be illuminated fromthe top or the bottom surface to produce an output light pattern at theother surface. In this instance both the top and bottom surfaces wouldbe formed of translucent material.

[0014] A reader embodying the invention includes means for illuminatinga selected card in a predetermined manner and includes sensing means forreading and recognizing the output light pattern. In a particularembodiment of the invention, a reader illuminates a card which includesa pattern of light paths formed within the card, between the top andbottom surfaces thereof, for producing a predetermined light pattern atan edge of the card when the light paths are illuminated. In someembodiments the light paths extend from one side (extending between thetop and bottom surfaces) of a card to a second side of the card. Whenlight is applied to the one side of the card, a light pattern isproduced at the second side so that the pattern can be sensed. In otherembodiments of the invention the light paths extend from one of the twosurfaces of the card to a side of the card. The one surface of the cardis then illuminated and the light pattern produced at the side of thecard is sensed. Still further the light paths may be patterned such thatthe spacing between the light paths is predetermined and/or the size ofeach light output site may be predetermined. In certain embodiments ofthe invention the light paths are formed using optical fibers.

[0015] An advantage of cards made in accordance with the invention isthat a significant amount of coded information may be produced withoutrequiring space on the top and bottom surfaces of cards. Leaving the topand bottom surfaces of a card free is significant because these areasare precious real estate used by many card manufacturers as advertisingspace.

[0016] An instrument (e.g., a card or an optical data storage disc suchas a CDROM) embodying the invention includes a pattern formed on orwithin the instrument, whereby the instrument, when illuminated by alight source, produces a unique output light pattern which can bedetected by a photo sensor. The formed pattern may take any number ofdifferent and randomly formed shapes ranging from stripes of differentsize and spacing, as in a bar code, to complex two dimensional shapesand images. The pattern formed between the top and bottom surfaces of aninstrument may include randomly distributed light pipes (paths)extending from one side of the instrument to one, or more, other side(s)of the instrument. Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top andbottom surfaces may include a number of “pitted” optical fibersextending from a side of the instrument to a “hidden” region internal tothe instrument, which does not extend to any of the sides or surfaces ofthe instrument. Alternatively, the pattern formed between the top andbottom surfaces of the instrument (e.g., a CDROM) may include opaqueoptical fibers extending within a region of the instrument.Alternatively, a pattern may be formed on an instrument (e.g., a CDROM)by laser etching or scribing a random pattern on a surface of theinstrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the accompanying drawing like reference characters denote likecomponents; and

[0018]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a prior art card includinga light path;

[0019]FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are cut-away views of cards formed withdifferent light patterns in accordance with the invention;

[0020] FIGS. 2D1 and 2D2 are side views of cards embodying theinvention;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of the top of a card formed, inaccordance with the invention, being illuminated by a light source andwith its output pattern being read;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a card embodying the inventionmounted on a reader and being illuminated and its light output beingdetected in accordance with the invention;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a side view of a card embodying the invention;

[0024]FIGS. 6A and 6B are, respectively, a side view and a front view ofa card embodying the invention with either one of its top and bottomsurfaces being illuminated;

[0025]FIGS. 6C and 6D are respectively a side view and a front view of aslot reader with a card embodying the invention;

[0026]FIG. 6E is a cross-section of a card embodying the invention;

[0027]FIG. 7A is a front view of a card embodying the invention;

[0028]FIG. 7B is a side view of the card of FIG. 7A being illuminated inaccordance with the invention;

[0029]FIG. 8A is a front view of a card embodying the invention withembedded bar codes;

[0030]FIG. 8B is a side view of the card of FIG. 8A being illuminatedand read in accordance with the invention;

[0031]FIGS. 9A and 9B are front views of cards embodying the inventionformed with fiber optic bundles;

[0032]FIG. 9C is an isometric of a reader for reading a “fiber optic”card embodying the invention;

[0033]FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional diagram of a fiber optic cardembodying he invention;

[0034]FIG. 10A is a top view of another card embodying the invention;

[0035]FIG. 10B is a side view of a card of the type shown in FIG. 10A;

[0036]FIGS. 11A and 11B are a top and side view, respectively, of aninsertion reader for reading cards embodying the invention;

[0037]FIG. 12 is a top view of still another card embodying theinvention;

[0038]FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a different card constructionin accordance with the invention;

[0039]FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a method of forming cards embodyingthe invention;

[0040]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a card containing a “hidden”light pipe;

[0041]FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the use of “pitted” optical fibersfor use in cards embodying the invention;

[0042]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a card with a “hidden” pittedoptical fiber;

[0043]FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross sectional views of a slot reader forreading cards embodying the invention;

[0044]FIGS. 19A and 19B are, respectively, a top view and across-sectional view of a card with randomly placed optical fibers inaccordance with the invention;

[0045]FIG. 20 is a top view of a compact disc (CD) embodying theinvention.

[0046]FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional drawing of part of CDROM in FIG. 20when opaque fibers are embedded in region 204;

[0047]FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional drawing of part of CDROM in FIG. 20when “marks” are laser etched on the surface in region 204; and

[0048]FIG. 21 is a highly simplified diagram of a reader/writer for usewith disc's embodying the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Applicants' invention resides, in part, in the recognition thatan existing technology could be modified and adapted to produce cardswhich could be encoded and/or patterned without the necessity of usingup the surface area of the cards.

[0050]FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a prior art multi-layered card 9formed such that the top and bottom layers of the card are spaced fromeach other to define a channel through which light can pass. The cardincludes a bottom layer 10 and a top layer 11. Each one of layers 10 and11 includes an outer layer 10 a, 11 a, respectively, made of atranslucent material. Outer layers 10 a, 11 a, have an outer surface 7,8, respectively. Each one of layers 10 and 11 also includes an innerlayer on which is formed a semi-reflective layer 13 a, 13 b,respectively, spaced from each other. The semi-reflective layer may bean aluminum compound or an acrylic, or any like material. Lightprojected onto either one of the outer surfaces (7, 8) of the card iscaptured between the reflective layers and travels between layers 13 aand 13 b of the card until it is emitted as a diffused light outputalong the side or edge of card 9. This method uses what may be termededge glow technology. That is, this technology uses a light reflectivespace formed between the two (top and bottom) surfaces of the card so asto transmit light that has been projected onto the outer surfaces of thecard and entered the card, and the light is transmitted towards the edgeof the card in a diffused manner. This allows the edges of the card toglow.

[0051] As light enters the card from either the top or bottom, the lightwill remain trapped within the semi-reflective material until it canescape from the edges of the card. As the light escapes from the edge ofthe card the edges of the card will appear to glow. This glowingphenomena can be seen, for example, by illuminating the card with asmall flashlight and then visually looking at the edge of the card. Toview the light coming out of the edges of the card someone has toactually look at the edge of the card to see if it is present.

[0052] The light outputted from the edges of a card formed in accordancewith the prior art teaching is diffused and is not of significant use.However, as discussed below, Applicants recognized that the spacebetween the top and bottom surfaces could be coded and/or patterned suchthat, when illuminated, a significant amount of coded information couldbe provided.

[0053] In FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, cards formed in accordance with theinvention include light pipe patterns formed within the cards (betweenits top and bottom surfaces) for producing a predetermined output lightpattern at an edge of the cards. That is, when a light pipe pattern isilluminated by a light source, a predetermined output light pattern isproduced at the edge (side) of the card. The pattern can then be sensedor read by means of a series of electronic sensors and detectors whichcan accurately measure the output light pattern being emitted at theedge of the card.

[0054]FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show three different light pipe patternsformed within a card. In FIG. 2A shows a top view of the lower layer ofa card containing a light pattern formed so as to extend from one side12 of the card 9 and across the width of the card to the opposite side14. FIG. 2B shows a top view of the lower layer of a card, 9, containinga light pattern which extends from one side 12 to another, adjacent,side 16, at a right angle to side 12. In FIGS. 2A and 2B the patternsmay use one illumination source (as shown in FIG. 3) where the inputlight is projected so as to enter the edge (side) 12 of the card and thelight energy is dispersed within the light pipe and then transmitted tothree output sites. The light source may be a light emitting diode (LED)or any other suitable light source. For ease of illustration, in thediscussion to follow, reference is made to visible light. However, itshould be understood that in many embodiments of the invention,non-visible light (e.g., ultraviolet and infrared light) may be used. Asshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the width (W1, W2, W3) of each output site, aswell as the spacing (d1, d2) between the various output sites, may becontrolled (varied) in accordance with a code or program to render thecards more secure. In FIG. 2C, three separate and independent lightpipes (P1, P2, P3) are formed between the top and bottom surfaces of thecard. Each light pipe can then be illuminated with a different color LED(L1, L2, L3) and then detected with a color sensitive detector array. Areader to read the cards would require that the reader be used toilluminate the cards and be programmed or designed to operate with thesecards.

[0055]FIG. 2D1 shows a side view looking into the light output side 14of the card 9. The card 9 may have a total thickness or height (h) ofapproximately 30 mils. FIG. 2D2 shows a side view looking into the lightinput side 12 of card 9. The top and bottom surfaces, 11 a and 10 a,respectively, may each have a height of 10 mils and the coded lightpattern is formed within a space also having a height of 10 mils. Itshould be appreciated that these values are by way of example only andthat the height of each layer may be made substantially greater orsmaller, so long as the total height meets the general standardsrequired of the cards.

[0056]FIG. 3 illustrates that a light pipe (path) pattern 15 a may beformed on a card 9 such that light may be inputted on one side, 12, anda different output light pattern may be produced on the other threesides (16, 14 and 18) of the card. FIG. 3 also illustrates that a singlelight source, L1, may be used to illuminate the back end of the lightpipe patterns shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and that the input light energyis evenly dispersed and distributed to each of the three output sides,14, 16, 18, depicted in FIG. 3. The light output emitted from each ofthe output sides then may be detected by an array of opticalphotodetectors, 30(1), 30(2) and 30(3). The photodetectors (or sensors)are used to measure the parameters associated with the outputillumination of the light pipes (i.e., the widths W1, W2, W3 and thedistances d1, d2). If the characteristics of the light received at eachlocation are not within the specification then the card is determined tobe false. Again, the reader to read these cards is programmed and/ordesigned to work/function with the cards. As discussed below, a readerembodying the invention would include means for activating a lightsource and projecting the light along the edge (side) of the cards shownin FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 3, and would also include photosensors forsensing the output light pattern (“coded” light output).The reader wouldalso include decoding processing and memory circuitry for comparing thesensed information versus previously stored information to determine thevalidity of the cards.

[0057]FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the illuminator/detector systemfor a card mounted in a reader housing. The reader provides a lightsource 4 which would project input light onto, and into, one side of thecard and a photodetector, 30, for sensing the light output from anotherside (opposite or adjacent to the one side). Note that the illuminatingsystem would include a light shade (41 a, 41 b) at the light input endto prevent illumination from the LEDs from skipping (passing) over theedge of the card and interfering with the detector. Likewise, the readerwould include light shades (42 a, 42 b) at the light output end to allowthe detector to only detect light output from the edge (side) of thecard.

[0058]FIG. 5 shows a side (edge) of the card illustrating three sitelocations (S1, S2, S3) from which the light energy exits the card, 9.One method used to detect if the card has been falsified is to check thewidth (W1, W2, W3) of the light emitted from the various location sitesand the width or distance (d1, d2) between the various site locationsdefining opaque areas. Similar to detecting conventional bar codes, theabove detection scheme will be able to measure the precise illuminationareas and the precise opaque areas. Techniques for detecting this typeof information is known and need not be detailed.

[0059] In FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 3, the top and bottom surfaces (10, 11)of the cards may formed of an opaque material since the light outputpattern is produced at one edge of the card by illuminating another edgeof the card.

[0060] The light pipes can be made of a material that will only transmita narrow frequency band (e.g., red, green or yellow). The opticaldetector will only then validate the card if the signal contains boththe correct widths and the predetermined spectra.

[0061] Of course the bar/space pattern can be adjusted for each specificcustomer application. This will allow this technique to have a uniquepattern (illumination/opaque) ratio for each application.

[0062] In the discussion above, the cards were intended primarily foruse in what are known in the art as “insertion readers”, includingmanual or motorized insertion readers.

[0063] In a different embodiment of the invention the light pipe formedin a card does not extend the entire length (or width) of the card.FIGS. 6A and 6B show different views of a card. In FIG. 6A, which is across-sectional diagram, the light pipe extends only partially along thewidth on the length of the card. That is, the light pipe extends fromone of the major surfaces of the card to one of the sides of the card.The light pipe is illuminated from one of the top and bottom surfacesand the light is bent at a 90 degree angle and directed towards one edgeof the card; where the output light signal is then detected by adetector 30 a. The embodiment of FIG. 6A enables the detection ofsecurity features by means of a reader, 101, shown in FIGS. 6C and 6Dwhich uses a manual “swipe” technique (e.g., slot or “swipe” reader). Ina manual “swipe” application, the card 9 is typically held in the handof a user and the lower portion of the card is then inserted and sweptthrough the reader 101.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6C, as the card is passed through a slot reader,the LEDs will illuminate one surface of the card and cause light to beprojected via holes or cut-aways 61. When the LEDs align with the inputto the light pipe, the detector 30 a will detect the output lightpattern produced at the edge of the card. If the light pattern at theedge of the card matches an appropriate configuration, previously storedor programmed in the reader, then the card will be deemed to be valid.In FIG. 6A, when the card surfaces are made opaque, the cut-out 61 tolet light in is required. However, note that when the card surface(e.g., surface 10 in FIG. 6A) is made of a translucent material, therewould be no need for holes or cut-aways 61.

[0065] Of course, the position of the light and the detector can beinterchanged. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the one surface10 of card 9 would be translucent while the other surface 11 couldeither be opaque or translucent, as shown in FIG. 6E. This is true forall of the embodiments of this invention.

[0066] In the discussion above, energizing the light pipe pattern wasaccomplished by illuminating one end of a light pipe and reading thelight output produced at the other end.

[0067] However, it is within the ambit of the invention to have anembodiment of the invention in which a pattern is completely embeddedwithin a card, as shown in FIG. 7A. In this example, the picture of abull is completely embedded within the card. That is, the pattern isplaced between the top and bottom surfaces of the card. As shown in FIG.7B, the card will be placed in a reader housing such that the light isincident on one side of the card and an area detector 30 c is placed onthe other side of the card. As the card is inserted into a validationmachine (reader), the LEDs illuminate one side of the card which is madeof a translucent material. Light will, therefore, pass through the card.However, in the area where the “image of the bull” is located the lightwill not pass through. The presence or absence of light can then bedetected by an area sensor 30C such as a CCD area sensor. If theembedded image matches the preprogrammed security image stored in thereader, the card is deemed valid

[0068]FIG. 8A shows an embodiment of the invention where a bar code isembedded between the top and bottom surfaces of a card. In FIG. 8A, thecard material is selected so that when light is projected onto the topor bottom surface, the embedded bar codes block the light while lightpasses between the bars. In this embodiment, the top and bottom layersof the card would be made translucent.

[0069]FIG. 8B shows the basic elements needed to read the embedded barcode of FIG. 8A. A number of LEDs can be positioned opposite one surfaceso as to project their light onto a surface 10 of the card 9. A lineararray of photosensors 30 d mounted facing the other surface 11 of card9, can sense the light passing through the card. This will allow thedetector to be a linear photosensor as opposed to a more expensive areasensor. The linear and/or area sensors could be charge coupled devices(CCDs) or any suitable sensor. The image or bar code can be opaque withthe top and bottom layers of the card being translucent or, vice versa,the image may be translucent and the surrounding area being opaque.Thus, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B, light can beprojected onto one surface of a card in which a pattern is embedded anda patterned (or coded) light output is produced at the other surface.The patterned or coded light output can then be sensed or read by meansof photosensors which can then provide signals to known detecting andprocessing circuits.

[0070]FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of this invention where the cardis manufactured with a set of optical fibers embedded between the topand bottom surfaces of the card, 9. In FIG. 9A, a multiplicity of fiberoptic light pipes (a fiber optic bundle) are shown distributed acrossthe width of the card. The layer of fiber optics could also be placedacross the entire length of the card or from one side to an adjacent,perpendicular, side. In FIG. 9A, a light source would illuminate oneside (edge) of the card as shown by the arrow marked “LIGHT IN” and alight output would be produced at another side (edge), as shown by arrowmarked “PATTERNED LIGHT OUT”. In this embodiment, different ones of theoptical fibers could be selected to have different colors or to passdifferent wave lengths. Also, the spacing of the optical fibers could bemade to vary.

[0071] It should be noted that a card may be personalized (customized)by, for example, breaking the fiber strands with a laser. In doing soeach card can be personalized to have its own unique pattern, as shownin FIG. 9B.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 9B, selected groups of fiber optic strands maybe cut (i.e. vaporized) with a laser (or by any other suitable means),as shown by the black stripes 91, 92 and 93 in FIG. 9B. Therefore, thebroken strands of optical fibers will not carry light from the lightinput end of the card to the light output end. In this embodiment, allthe fibers could be made identical in terms of their transmissiveproperties. By cutting selected groups of fiber optic strands a uniquepattern can be produced and subsequently detected. However, in FIG. 9B,if the top or bottom surface of the card is translucent, the light inputwill produce light “marks” at 91, 92 and 93. Therefore, an area readerpositioned over a surface of the card for sensing the light emitted atthe surface of the card could be used to identify the presence of alight output pattern on the surface of the card.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9C, a reader 91 capable of reading a card of thetype shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B includes a light source to illuminate oneedge of the card with an optical detector 95 located along a differentedge and another optical detector 97 to read one of the surfaces of thecard. The detector 97 is then programmed to scan the surface area of thecard and to detect where the laser has burned the end of the fiberbundles. As the light leaks out of the end of the fiber bundle that isembedded within the card, it is possible to detect the location wherethe fibers have been burned. Then the distance between each of the lasercuts (d1 and d2) can be calculated and the information can then bestored on an information storage media on the card (such as a magneticstripe or an integrated circuit memory).

[0074]FIG. 9D is a side (cross-sectional) view of the card 9 showing anilluminated pattern. Note that the optical fibers are shown placed sideby side. However, they could as well be spaced from each other. FIG. 9Dshows that the fibers could be of 10 mils in diameter sandwiched betweena top layer 11 a and a bottom layer 10 a. In the example of FIG. 9D, theheight of the package is approximately 30 mils. However, it should beappreciated that the size of the optical fibers and the thickness of thetop and bottom layers may be varied considerably.

[0075]FIG. 10A illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention. Thecard of FIG. 10A may be formed by randomly placing optical fibers ofdifferent shapes, sizes and colors and/or randomly forming patterns oflike colored optical fibers between the two surfaces of a card. Therandom pattern created can be read, sensed and recorded and thenassigned to a particular individual as his signature or finger printcard. The patterns of FIG. 10A, formed randomly, as suggested, would betruly unique. The patterns would be read as shown in FIG. 10B byilluminating one surface and sensing the patterned (coded) light out.

[0076] The fingerprint parameter can be stored on an information storagemedia such as a magnetic stripe or an IC memory located on the card.When the card is inserted into the validation reader, the uniquefingerprint must match the data stored in the card to validate the card.Otherwise, the card will be rejected as invalid.

[0077] As noted above, readers/scanners to illuminate the smart “lightcards” embodying the invention and to sense the light pattern output mayinclude an insertion reader (motorized or manual) or a slot reader, asshown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

[0078]FIG. 11A is a top view of an insertion reader showing an opticalfiber type card 9 being inserted into the reader carriage with a lightL1 illuminating one side of the card and a photodetector 95 for sensingthe light pattern outputted on the opposite side of the card. The readermay include an optimal magnetic stripe head or integrated circuit (IC)card reader 111. FIG. 11B is a side view of the reader showing an areaphotodetector 97 overlying the card 9 to sense the light pattern outputemitted from the surface of the card.

[0079] It should be evident that the patterning and encoding of cards,as taught herein, may be combined with other prior art securityenhancing means for rendering cards embodying the invention even moredifficult to counterfeit.

[0080]FIG. 12 is a not to scale isometric drawing of a card (or otherinstrument) to illustrate that optical fibers and/or light pipesdefining a predetermined pattern (or used to form a pattern) may bemounted parallel to the sides of the cards. A light input signal is thenapplied to one of the major surfaces of the card (e.g., the top surface)and a patterned (or coded) light output signal is produced at the otherone of the major surfaces of the card (e.g., the bottom surface). Thecard could be any other instrument such as a CD ROM or disc.

[0081] It should be appreciated that the various embodiments of thisinvention could be incorporated into documents such as passports orvisas.

[0082] It should also be appreciated that, as shown in FIG. 13, cards,instruments and documents embodying the invention may include a lightpipe or optical fiber sandwiched between two surfaces. Depending on theapplication, the surfaces may both be opaque, may both be translucent,or one may be opaque and the other translucent.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, it should be appreciated thatcards embodying the invention may be formed by first taking a substratematerial 140 which may be opaque or translucent and which willeventually form the top or bottom surface of a card. The substratematerial will normally have a thickness in the range of 1 to 15 mils,However, for purpose of illustration it is shown to be 10 mils in thesefigures. An acrylic material 142 may then be formed on top of thesubstrate, as shown in FIG. 14B. The material 142 may then be patternedby any known techniques to produce a light pipe as shown in FIG. 14A. Acover (not shown) may then be placed over the pattern previously formedto produce a card embodying the invention. It should be appreciated thatthis is by way of illustration only and any suitable means for makingand encoding the space between the top and bottom surfaces of the cardis within the scope of the invention.

[0084]FIG. 15 shows a cross-section of a card 890 containing “hidden”light pipe 900. The pipe is “hidden” in that while one end 901 of thelight pipe terminates along one edge 903 of the card (and may be seen),the other end 905 of the light pipe terminates below the surface 907 ofthe card (and is therefore not readily visible). Assume, for example,that the distance, d1, between the top surface, 907, and the bottomsurface, 909, of the card is equal to 30 millimeters and that thediameter of the light pipe 900 is equal to 10 millimeters. The lightpipe 900 may be placed so that, for example, the end 905 of the lightpipe is between 5 and 10 millimeters below the surface 907 of the card.This allows for sufficient room to bend the light pipe and to have thepipe extend down so the end 901 of the light pipe abuts the lower edge903 of the card. Note that the “hidden” end 905 of the light pipe may beplaced at any arbitrary point between lower edge 903 and the upper edge911 of the card; i.e., the relative distances L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 15may be varied over the full width (or length) of the card. In the sideview of FIG. 15, only one light pipe is shown. It should be evident thatnumerous pipes may be formed between the top and bottom surfaces, asshown ,for example, in FIG. 17B. It should also be observed that thelight pipes may terminate in an internal “hidden” region 951 a.

[0085] When the card is formed with “hidden” pipes, the informationpertaining to the pipes and their location may be encoded on a magneticstripe, a bar code or a semiconductor device located on the card.

[0086]FIGS. 16A and 16B show the use of light pipes or optical fibers,900 a, having a region 951 where the surface of the light pipe or fiberis (chemically or via laser) etched to produce “pits” in the surface ofthe light pipe or optical fiber, 900 a. The pitted regions 951 enablelight to enter the pipe/fiber 900 a via the region 951 and to becollected and transmitted along the pipe/fiber 900 a to the other end901 where it is emitted, as shown in FIG. 16A. Alternatively, as shownin FIG. 16B, light can enter the end 901 and be transmitted along thepipe/fiber 900 a until it reaches region 951, where it is then emitted.

[0087] The optical fibers 900 a shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B may be usedto produce a card of the type shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B. FIG. 17Aillustrates that an etched optical fiber 900 a may be placed between thetop and bottom surfaces of a card 890 so as to either receive or emitlight at a point Lx along the width (or length) of the card. FIG. 17Billustrates that the etched “hidden” fibers may be used to formintricate patterns. In the manufacture of the card 890 (See FIG. 17A),one layer 907 and the adjacent region r1 may be translucent to permitlight to pass through and the other layer 909 and the adjacent region r3may be opaque to block the passage of light. Alternatively, both layers907, 909 and both regions r1 and r3 may be translucent.

[0088] Light pipes 900 a having different frequency (spectral) responsesmay be used and randomly or arbitrarily disposed within the card toproduce a random or arbitrary response. Alternatively, the light pipes900 a having different responses may be used and disposed within thecard in a predetermined and or programmed manner to produce apredetermined response.

[0089] When a card is formed the resulting pattern may be sensed andcorresponding data may then be recorded on an information storage mediumlocated on the card. The recording may then be either:

[0090] (a) encoded on the card [by means of a magnetic stripe, a barcode, or an integrated circuit (IC) formed on the card or by any othersuitable means]; or

[0091] (b) fed into a computer where the information for subsequentcomparison with the card is used and read at some later time.

[0092] As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, a card 890 formed with a pluralityof “hidden” light pipes, with the information pertaining to the pipesbeing encoded on the card, may be inserted in a slot reader 101. Thereader includes means for sensing the optical pattern and may alsoinclude a sensor to sense the data in the information storage mediumpertaining to the pattern. The reader 101 compares the two readings todetermine the validity of the card.

[0093] There may be more than one layer of light pipes between the topand bottom surfaces of the card. As shown in FIG. 19A, different lightpipes may be distributed randomly or arbitrarily at numerous differentangles to produce numerous different cards.

[0094]FIG. 19A is a top view of optic fibers or light pipes randomlyplaced between the top and bottom surfaces of a card 890. In FIG. 19A,the optic fibers are shown to extend between two edges of the card. FIG.19B is a cross sectional view of a card, formed as shown in FIG. 19A,showing that various layers of randomly placed optical fibers/pipes canbe placed between the top and bottom surfaces of the card. Eachfiber/pipe (900,900 a) extends between two edges of the card. Where thethickness of the card is two or three times the diameter of the opticfibers two or three layers of optic fibers can be randomly placedbetween the top and bottom surfaces of the card. The pattern created bythe randomly placed optic fibers/pipes can be sensed in several ways asfollows, as illustrated in FIG. 19a and 19B:

[0095] 1—One side of the card can be illuminated (e.g., via light sourceLS1 in FIG. 19B) and (a) the light emanating from any of the other threesides of the card can be sensed by means of photosensors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5in FIG. 19A and 19B) located opposite any of the three sides; and/or (b)the light emanating from the top and bottom surfaces of the card can besensed.

[0096] 2—One of the top and bottom surfaces of the card can beilluminated and (a) the light emanating from any of the four sides ofthe card can be sensed; and/or (b) the light emanating from the otherone of the top and bottom surfaces can be sensed.

[0097] Sensing of the top and bottom surfaces can be accomplished bymeans of a linear array or an area array of photo sensors, such as a CCDarray. The output pattern produced in response to an illumination signalmay be similar to that shown in FIG. 10B—although the resulting patternmay be more complex than the FIG. 10B showing. The output pattern issensed by a linear or area imaging array and the sensed signals are thenprocessed to produce a digital or analog signal corresponding to thesensed signal(s) and to the underlying pattern. This digital or analogsignal, indicative of selected characteristics of the pattern, may thenbe encoded and may be termed a “security code” which may be stored onthe card or in a central computer. The security code may be stored onthe card by imparting the corresponding information on a magnetic stripelocated on the card, by storing the information in a semiconductormemory chip located on the card, by writing a bar code onto the card ata predetermined location, or by any other similar means for storingdata. Subsequently, when the card is about to be used, the card isilluminated and the security code is read and compared with the lightpattern output. Then, if there is a match the card is validated.

[0098] Instead of storing the security code on the card, the securitycode may be stored in a central computer which is accessed each time thecard is about to be used. That is, when the card is about to be used,the card is illuminated and the light signals are sensed. These signalsare then compared with the security code corresponding to the card whichis stored in the computer. If the data checks out the card is validated.

[0099] It should be appreciated that each card formed in accordance withthe invention, as illustrated in FIG. 19A, is formed in a truly randommanner and is therefore unique. This makes it nearly impossible forforgers to copy and/or falsify these cards.

[0100] As shown in FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A, and 19B, either “pitted” opticalfibers 900 a and/or “non-pitted” optical fibers 900 may be used to formrandom arrangements in accordance with the invention.

[0101] As noted above, the inventive concepts described for impeding thecounterfeiting of cards, instruments, and documents are also applicableto systems for impeding the counterfeiting of optical data storagediscs. Optical data storage discs include compact discs (CD's) whichprovide, among others, a read-only-memory (ROM) function. The opticaldata storage disc includes a layer of transparent material formed overone side of the disc with a pattern of indentations defining digitaldata. This one side of the disc may be covered with a thin coating ofreflective material. The digital data is then optically read in anysuitable manner (e.g., from the opposite side of the disc).

[0102] There is a significant problem associated with the counterfeitingof the information contained on discs, whether the information is in theform of digital data, applications programs, music, etc.. Acounterfeiter can replicate any existing CD and sell the CD containingthe information for 10%, or even less, of the retail price. This sharplycuts into the profits of the legitimate suppliers of the disc.

[0103] Applicants' invention is directed to forming security features ona CD and encoding these features on the CD so that these features can becrosschecked to validate the CD. This is best explained with referenceto FIG. 20.

[0104]FIG. 20 is a top view of a CD ROM 200 having an outer annularregion 202 for the storage of information, an inner annular region 204,closer to the center of the disc, and a center region 206 which normallycontains an opening such as a hole. The inner region 204 is normallyblank and may be translucent.

[0105] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, hair like opaquestrands 900 b may be formed within region 204. These optical strands maybe optical fibers of different colors for providing different spectralresponses (or other suitable light pipes). The strands 900 b may beformed, or placed, within the annular region 204 such that they either:(a) lie horizontally between the top and bottom surfaces of the disc, oralong a disc surface, parallel to the surface of the disc; or (b) aremounted vertically between the top and bottom surfaces of the disc.

[0106] In accordance with the invention the strands 900 b may be placedand positioned within translucent region 204 in several ways, some ofwhich are as follows:

[0107] (a) randomly formed or placed within the region 204; or

[0108] (b) arranged within the region 204 in an arbitrary and/orprogrammed manner to produce a unique or predetermined pattern.

[0109] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pluralityof marks, also identified by the reference numeral 900 b, may be etched,scribed or burned (e.g., chemically or via a laser) into region 204.These marks 900 b may be formed in a random manner or they may be formedarbitrarily, or in accordance with some program. Thus, the CD ROM may beformed with a unique pattern located within the translucent region 204with either laser etching or by embedding opaque fibers. A large numberof different patterns can be generated in this manner. Also, the patternmay be formed at the formation of the CD ROM.

[0110] As a finishing step in the manufacture of the CD, the CD may beplaced in a CD reader/writer 600 as shown in FIG. 21. The signal orspectral pattern resulting from illuminating the optical strand pattern(see FIG. 20B) or the optical marks pattern (see FIG. 20C) in region 204may be read. FIG. 21 shows a laser/detector 601 which can illuminate thedisc and the detect light reflected form the disc. It should beappreciated that when the CD is being read that the reader 600 may beprogrammed to read only a certain section or sector of the disc (e.g.,region 210 in FIG. 20) and to record pattern information for thatsector. Alternatively, the reader 600 may be programmed to scan thepattern sensed along a radius R1 or a radius R2 as shown in FIG. 20. Thesignals corresponding to the pattern read are then encoded within aspecified area of region 202. Note that this permits the pattern formedon one disc to be made the same as the one formed on another disc. But,by programming the reading of different sections (e.g., by scanningalong different radii, R1, R2) of the discs provide a different code tobe stored and to be searched for. Interestingly, even if two opticalpatterns formed on two different discs are the same, by programmingscanning of the disc at different radii makes the generation of thesecurity code virtually unique even for apparently like optical patters.Each different radius forms a unique pattern. This pattern may then beused to generate a “unique security code” for the CD ROM. Thecorresponding information is then encoded and written onto the CD ROM asa hidden file. The information stored in the hidden file is related tothe specific radius of the scan and the particular pattern scanned atthe programmed radius.

[0111] By way of example, as a CD spins within the CD reader/writer, alaser photo detector 601 scans the translucent region 204. The laserscanner 601 and associated signal processing circuitry 603 calculate a“security code” (i.e., the “fingerprint”) associated with the patternread and determines the “fingerprint” placed on the disc. The“fingerprint” parameter is then written onto the CD, preferably inregion 202, as an “hidden” file.

[0112] Subsequently when the CD is loaded into an appropriate readingdevice, the device reads the “hidden” file in region 202. The device canthen read (sense) the pattern in region 204 and verify whether thepattern it reads matches the “fingerprint” parameter stored in thehidden file. The pattern formed in region 204 of the disc may be read bythe same laser/photodetector circuitry that is used for reading the CDROM information in region 202. A requirement is that thelaser/photodetector be able to scan the region 204 as well as the region202. If the two regions can not be read with a single laser, thenexisting equipment would be modified to provide a secondlaser/photodetector arrangement to scan both regions 202 and 204. When aCD ROM is placed into a reader one of the first steps in validating theCD ROM is to verify whether the security code stored in the hidden fileis consistent with the scanned pattern at the programmed scan radius.The validation step may be programmed into the disc or into a reader(e.g. 600) or a combination of both.

What is claimed is:
 1. A card comprising: generally parallel top andbottom surfaces defining a space therebetween and four sides around theedge of the card; and a multiplicity of light pipes randomly placedbetween the top and bottom surfaces of said card, said light pipes beingrandomly placed to produce a random pattern within the space, wherebythe pattern formed within any particular card is different from anyother card.
 2. A card as claimed in claim 1 wherein said space istypically less than 30 millimeters in height and wherein each light pipehas a diameter in the range of 10 millimeters.
 3. A card as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said light pipes are optical fibers which extend betweentwo edges of each card.
 4. A card as claimed in claim 3 wherein there isat least one layer of optical fibers between the top and bottom surfacesof each card.
 5. A card as claimed in claim 1 further including aninformation storage element on the card, and wherein the card, whenformed, is illuminated to generate a signal pattern corresponding to therandom pattern formed within the space; and wherein the signal patternis sensed and information corresponding thereto is encoded in theinformation storage element to enable the card to be validated at afuture time.
 6. A card as claimed in claim 5 wherein said informationstorage element is one of a magnetic stripe, a bar code, a hologram anda semiconductor circuit.
 7. A card comprising: generally parallel topand bottom surfaces defining a space therebetween and four sides aroundthe edge of the card; a multiplicity of light conducting elements havingfirst and second ends for the conduction of light therebetween areplaced between the top and bottom surfaces of said card; and selectedones of said multiplicity of light conducting elements go from an edgeof the card and terminate at an internal region of the card, where theinternal region lies below the top surface and above the bottom surfaceand does not extend to another edge of the card, whereby the location ofthe termination point of the selected light conducting elements ishidden from view.
 8. A card as claimed in claim 7 , wherein saidselected ones of said light conducting elements are light pipes.
 9. Acard as claimed in claim 8 wherein said light pipes are for thetransmission of light illuminating one of the top and bottom surfaces inthe area of the card in the area of the internal region.
 10. A card asclaimed in claim 7 , wherein said selected ones of said light conductingelements are optical fibers.
 11. A card as claimed in claim 10 , whereinthe end of said optical fibers terminating at the internal region arepitted to enhance one of: (a) the emission of light; and (b) thereception of light.
 12. A method for impeding the counterfeiting of aninstrument having top and bottom surfaces defining a space therebetweencomprising the step of: forming random optical patterns in one of (a)said top surface, (b) said bottom surface and (c) the space between saidtop and bottom surfaces, whereby each instrument has a different opticalpattern and corresponding spectral response than any other instrument.13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the instrument is an opticaldata storage disc having a region which is translucent and wherein thestep of forming random optical patterns includes distributing amultiplicity of strands randomly between the top and bottom surfaceswithin said translucent region.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 13wherein the strands are opaque fibers.
 15. A method as claimed in claim12 wherein the instrument is an optical data storage disc having aregion which is translucent and wherein the step of forming randomoptical patterns includes etching or laser burning a multiplicity ofrandomly selected points on one of the top and bottom surfaces withinsaid translucent region.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 12 whereinsaid instrument is an optical data storage disc having a first annularregion extending a given distance from the center of the disc and havinga second annular region extending between the first annular region andthe edge of the disc, wherein said first annular region is translucentand said second annular region is for the storing of data to be read;and wherein the step of forming random patterns includes the step ofdistributing a multiplicity of strands randomly between the top andbottom surfaces within said first annular region.
 17. A method asclaimed in claim 16 wherein said strands are opaque fibers.
 18. A methodas claimed in claim 12 wherein said instrument is an optical datastorage disc having a first annular region extending a given distancefrom the center of the disc and having a second annular region extendingbetween the first annular region and the edge of the disc, wherein saidfirst annular region is translucent and said second annular region isfor the storing of data to be read; and wherein the step of formingrandom patterns includes the step of etching or laser burning amultiplicity of randomly selected points on one of the top and bottomsurfaces within said translucent region.
 19. A method as claimed inclaim 12 further including the steps of: illuminating the card forproducing a signal pattern indicative of the random pattern within theinstrument; sensing the signal pattern corresponding to the randompattern; and encoding information corresponding to the signal pattern onan information storage medium located on the instrument.
 20. In anoptical data storage disc having a central region with a firsttranslucent annular region surrounding the central region and having asecond region surrounding the first region, said second region forstoring information to be read by a reading device, the improvementcomprising: a random optical pattern formed within said first region forproducing a spectral response within the first translucent region of thedisc which is different from that of any other disc.
 21. In an opticaldata storage disc as claimed in claim 20 , wherein informationpertaining to the random optical pattern present in the firsttranslucent region is stored in the second data storage region.
 22. Incombination with an optical data storage disc as claimed in claim 20further including: means for sensing selected characteristics of therandom optical pattern formed in the first region and encoding datacorresponding thereto within said second region of the disc; and meansfor subsequently sensing the pattern formed within the first region andfor reading the corresponding encoded data within the second region tovalidate the disc.
 23. A combination for impeding the counterfeiting ofan optical data storage disc comprising: an optical data storage dischaving a central region with a first translucent annular regionsurrounding the central region and having a second region surroundingthe first region, said second region for storing information to be readby a reading device; means for forming a random optical pattern withinsaid first region; means for sensing selected characteristics of therandom optical pattern formed in the first region and encoding datacorresponding thereto within said second region of the disc; and meansfor subsequently sensing the pattern formed within the first region andfor reading the corresponding encoded data within the second region tovalidate the disc.
 24. A combination as claimed in claim 23 wherein saidmeans for forming a random optical pattern within said first annularregion includes the placement of opaque strands within said firstregion.
 25. A combination as claimed in claim 23 wherein said opaquestrands are opaque optical fibers.
 26. A combination as claimed in claim23 wherein said means for forming a random optical pattern within saidfirst annular region includes one of etching and laser scribing selectedportions of the first annular region of the disc.
 27. A system forimpeding the counterfeiting of an optical data storage disc comprising:an optical data storage disc having a central region with a firsttranslucent annular region surrounding the central region and having asecond region surrounding the first region, said second region forstoring information to be read by a reading device; means for forming anarbitrary optical pattern within said first region for altering thespectral response of the first region; means for sensing selectedcharacteristics of the arbitrary optical pattern formed within the firstregion and encoding data corresponding thereto within said second regionof the disc; and means for subsequently sensing the pattern formedwithin the first region and for reading the corresponding encoded datawithin the second region to determine the validity of the disc.
 28. Acombination as claimed in claim 27 wherein said means for forming anarbitrary optical pattern within said first annular region includes theplacement of opaque strands within said first region.
 29. A combinationas claimed in claim 27 wherein said means for forming an arbitraryoptical pattern within said first annular region includes one of etchingand laser scribing selected portions of the first region.
 30. A cardcomprising: generally parallel top and bottom surfaces defining a spacetherebetween and four sides around the edge of the card; a patternhaving an irregular shape formed within the space, said card beingresponsive to illumination along one of its top and bottom surfaces forproducing a patterned light output at one of: (a) the other surface, and(b) at least one of the other sides of the card.
 31. A card comprising:generally parallel top and bottom surfaces defining a space therebetweenand four sides around the edge of the card; a pattern formed of lightpipes extending from one side of the card to a region close to one ofthe top and bottom surfaces, said region being between the other sidesof the card, and wherein the light pipes are responsive to illuminationalong one of the one side and the one of the top and bottom surfaces toproduce a patterned light output at the one of the top and bottomsurfaces and the one side, respectively.